Article of repose for supporting the body of a person



March as, 1958 A. LORENZ 2,8221% ARTICLE OF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THEBODY OF A PERSON Filed April 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l 20 INVENTOR.

407a idea/v2 VBY March 18, 1958 A. LORENZ 2,827,109

ARTICLE OF REFUSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON Filed April 23,1954 5 Shets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. 2/0 4/1 70 4 OfiE/V 2 BY MI 2 ARTICLEOF REPOSE FOR SUPPORTING THE BODY OF A PERSON Filed April 23, 1954 A.LORENZ March 18, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 m m m m %vr04/ zaesA/z UniteStates ARTICLE 6F REPOSE F-GR SUPPORTING THE BQDY OF A PERSQN Thisinvention relates to articles of furniture and more particularly toarticles of repose for supporting the body of a person wherein aback-rest and a seat pivoted to said back-rest are connected with eachother through a link system whereby coordinated movements of theback-rest and the seat are obtained.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved link system forthis type of articles of repose.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for controlling themovements of the leg-rest swingably mounted on the seat of such anarticle of repose.

A further object of the invention is to improve on the construction ofarticles of repose as now customarily made.

Other objects and structural details of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a reclining chair according to theinvention, a portion of a side frame being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the reclining chair shown in Fig.1, wherein however the movable members of the chair are in the extremereclined position,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of another embodiment of a recliningchai according to the invention, a portion of a side frame being brokenaway,

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a recliningchair according to the invention, a portion of a side frame being brokenaway,

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of still another embodiment of thechair according to the invention, a portion of a side frame being brokenaway, and

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a recliningchair according to the invention, a portion of a side frame being brokenaway.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, 19 generally indicates a supportcomprising side frames 12 and 14 connected with each other by a crossbar 16.

The lower end of a backrest 18 is swingably mounted on the support 19 at29. The rear end portion of a seat 22 is pivoted to said back-rest 18 at24 at a point above the pivotal connection 25 between the back-rest 18and the support 10.

A controlling element 26 in the shape of a bell-crank lever is swingablymounted on the support at 28. The upper arm 30 of said controllingelement 26 is pivoted at 32 to the front end portion of a connectinglink or arm-rest 34. The rear end portion of said connecting link 34 ispivoted to the back-rest 18 at 36 at a point above the pivotalconnection 24 between the back-rest 18 and the seat 22. The lower arm 38of the controlling element 26 is pivoted at 4-1) to the lower end of alink 42, the upper end of which is pivoted to the seat 22 at 44 Aleg-rest es swingably mounted on the front end portion of the seat 22 at43 is pivoted to the front end of a controlling link 50 at 52. The rearend of said controlling link 50 is pivoted at 54 to the lower end of anarm 56 "ice swingably mounted on the seat 22 at 58. One end of a link 60is pivoted to said arm 56 at 62, the other end of said link 60 ispivoted to the lower arm 38 of the controlling element 26 at 40 incoaxial alignment with the pivotal connection between said lower arm 38and the link 42.

When the back-rest 18 is moved from the sitting position, shown in Fig.1, into the reclined position 18, shown in Fig. 2, the seat and theleg-rest are brought into the positions 22' and 46 respectively by meansof above described link system.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair, shown in Fig.1, is limited by a stop 64 arranged on the support for abuttingcooperation with the seat 22. The extreme reclined position of themovable members of the chair, shown in Fig. 2, is limited by anotherstop 66 arranged on the support for abutting cooperation with the lowerend of the back-rest 18.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, again the back-rest 118 isswingably mounted on the support 11th at 12% and the rear end of theseat 122 is pivoted to the back-rest 113 at 1124 at a point above thepivot of the hack-rest 318. Furthermore, again the controlling element126 swingahly mounted on the support 11% at 1'28 is controlled by theconnecting link 134 pivoted to the upper arm 13% of the controllingelement 126 and to the back-rest 118 at the points 132 and 136respectively.

The controlling mechanism for the seat 122 however is different.According to Fig. 3, an arm 163 is swingably mounted on the support lit}at 176. A link 172 is pivoted at dilferent regions thereof to the lowerarm 138 of the controlling element 126 at 14-1 and to said swingable arm168 at 174. The seat 122 is pivoted to the upper end of a link 143 at144. The lower end of said link 143 is pivoted to the swingable arm 168at 176.

The leg-rest 146 swingably mounted on the front portion or" the seat 122at 143 is pivoted to one end of the controlling link 15%? at 152. Theother end of said controlling link 15% is pivoted to the swingable arm168 at 155.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair, shown in fulllines, is limited by the stop 164 and the extreme reclined position ofthe movable members of the chair, shown in dash-and-dot lines, islimited by the stop 166.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the backrest 218 swingablymounted on the support 214) at 22% is pivoted to the rear end of theseat 222 at 224 and to the rear end of the connecting link 234 at 236.The upper arm 23d of the controlling element 226 swingably mounted onthe support 21% at 228 is pivoted to the connecting link 23% at 232. Thelower arm 238 of said controlling element 226 is pivoted at 24-1 to oneend of the link 272. The other end of said link 272 is pivoted at 274 toan arm 268 swingably mounted on the support at 276). Said swingable arm268 has an extension 278 rigid therewith. A roller 2% rotatably mountedon said extension 278 is in movable abutting engagement with the lowersurface of the seat 222.

The leg-rest 246 swingably mounted on the front portion of the seat 222at 243 is pivoted at 252 to one end of the controlling link 25%. Theother end of said controlling link 259 is pivoted at 255 to theswingable arm 268.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chair, shown in fulllines, is limited by a stop 264 arranged on the support 216. The extremereclined position of the movable members of the chair, shown indash-and-dot lines, is limited by a stop 266 also arranged on thesupport 210.

7 According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, again Patented Mar. 18,1958 th'e'vlowe'r end of the back-rest 3-18 is swin gably mounted on thesupport 310 at 320. The rearend portion of the 7 seat 322 is pivoted tothe back-rest 318 at 324 at a point above the-1 pivotal connection320 ofthe back-rest suppoft lil fl at 32'8 is pivoted to the connecting link-334 5 55332.; The lewe'r am 333 or said controlling element 326 carries;a roller 382' being in abutting engagement an arnr 368 swingably mountedon the support 310 at37 0. A link 343 is pivoted at different regionsthereof to said swihg'a'hle arm 3 68 at 376 and to the seat 322 at 344iThe controlling link 350 is pivoted at difierent regions thereof tosai'dswingable arm 363 at 355 and to leg-rest- 346 at 352. The leg-rest 346is swingably riiou-nfedon the front portion-of the seat 322- at 343.

Th sitting position of the movable members of the chair, shown in fulllinesgis' limited by the stop 364 and the extreme rec lin'e'd positionof the movable members store ehair, shown in dash-and-dot lines,islimited by the step 366.- v

Aecerding'to the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, again tne'back-r est 418 ispivoted at three-different points 420, 424' and 436 respectively to thesupport 41%, the seat 422 and-the connecting link 434 respectively. Theupper am 430 of the" controlling element 426 swingably mountedontlie'support 414) at 423 is pivoted to the connecting link 434 at 432. Thelower arm 433 of the controlling element 426 has an extension 484 rigidtherewith. Said exfension'484' carries a roller 486 arranged forabutting engagement with the lower surface of the seat 422.

The leg-rest 446 s'wingably mounted on the front portion of the seat 422M448 is pivoted to one end of the controlling link 450 at 452. The otherend of said contr'oll ing link 450 is pivoted to the lower arm 438 ofthe controlling element 426 at 453.

The sittingposition ofthe movable members of the chairs shown in fulllines, is limited by the stop 464 and the-extreme reclined position ofthe movable members of the chair; shown in dash-and-dot lines, islimited by the stop 466.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it isunderstood that this disclosure is for the pur ose of illustration, andthat various changes in shape, proportion of parts, as well as thesubstitution for equivalent elements for the arrangements shown anddescribed may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

Each of the embodiments of a reclining chair according to the inventionmay be equipped with locking means for holding the movable members ofthe chair in any desired position.

What I claim is article of repose for supporting the body of a erson,comprising in combination: a support, a backrest pivoted to saidsupport, a seat, the rear end portion of said seat being pivoted'to saidback-rest at a point above the plane of the pivotal connection betweenthe back-rest and the support, a controlling element pivotedintermediate its ends on said support, a connecting link pivoted atdifferent regions thereof to said controlling element at one side of'its pivotal connection to'said support andto said bac k-rest at a pointabove the pivotal connection'between said back-rest and said seat, andcon trolling means interposed between said controlling element at theother side of its pivotal connection to said support and said seat foreffectingmovements of said seat in o'or dination with movements of saidcontrolling element,- a leg-rest swingably mounted on the frontporass-er the-'seat, an arm swingably mounted on said seat, a hrstlinkpivoted at different regions thereof to' said controlling elementand tosaid arm, and a'- second link '4 pivoted at different regions. thereofsaid leg-rest. t

2. An article of repose for supporting the body of a to said. armand. to

person, comprising in combination: a support, a back- 7 rest pivoted tosaid support, a seat, the rear end portion of said seat being pivoted tosaid back-rest at a point above the plane of the pivotalconnection'between the back-rest and the support, acontrolling elementpivoted intermediate its ends' on said support, a connecting linkpivoted at different regions thereof to said controlling differentregions thereof to said co'ntrolling element and to said seat, a legr'est swingably mounted on' the front portion'of' the seat, anarmswingably mounted on said seat, a first link pivotedat differentregions thereof to said controlling element and tosaid arm, and a secondlink pivoted at different regions thereof to said arm and to saidleg-rest.

3; A reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest having adepending extension disposed in a substantially upright sitting positionand pivotally connected tosaidsupport whereby said back-rest is rockablymounted on i said support for reclining movement, a seat having aforward portion; the rear portion of said seat being-pivotallyconnectedto said back-restat' a point spaced above the pivotalconnection between said back-rest and said support and in position totranslate through a rearward and downward are upon reclining movement-ofsaid back-rest to lower said rear portion of said seat, acontrollingelement pivotally mounted on said support at-a point int'ermediateits-ends, a connecting link pivoted at one portion thereof to said backrest at a location spaced above the pivotal connection of said seat tosaid back restand atanother portion thereof to said controlling elementat one side of its pivotal connection-to said support, first controllingmeans interposed between said controlling element at the other side'of'its pivotal connection to said support and said forward portion ofsaidseat for effecting movement of said seat in coordination with movementofsaid controlling element, said first controlling means elevating saidforward portion of said seat in response to reclining movement of saidback-rest, a legrest swingably mounted on the front portion of saidseat, and second controlling means between said other sideof saidcontrolling element and said legrest for effecting movements of saidleg-rest in coordination with the movements of said controlling element,the elevation of said forward portion of said seatand the lowering ofsaid rear portion of said seat causing a compound inclining'movement ofsaid seat to increase the angle between said seat and back-rest as afunction of said reclining movement.

4. A reclining chair according to claim 3 wherein said first controllingmeans includes an arm swingablym'ount: ed on said support, and meanscoupling said arm to said controlling element and to said seat. 7

5. A recliningchair according to claim 3 wherein said first'controllingmeansincludes an arm swingably mounted on said support, a link pivotallyconnecting said arm to; said controlling element, and cooperatingabutments onsaid arm and on said seat movably engaged with each other.

and saidcont'rolling' element movably engaged with each 7 other, and alink pivotally' connecting s m, m Sfiid 6. A reclining chair accordingto claim 3 wherein said i 7. A reclining chair according to claim 3wherein said first controlling means includes a rigid extension on saidcontrolling element, and cooperating abutments on said extension andsaid seat movably engaged with each other.

8. A reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest having adepending extension disposed in a substantially upright sitting positionand pivotally connected to said support whereby said back-rest isrockably mounted on said support for reclining movement, a seat having aforward portion, the rear portion of said seat being pivotally connectedto said back-rest at a point spaced above the pivotal connection betweensaid back-rest and said support and in position to translate through arearward and downward are upon reclining movement of said backrest tolower said rear portion of said seat, a controlling element pivotallymounted on said support at a point intermediate its ends, a connectinglink pivoted at one portion thereof to said back-rest at a locationspaced above the pivotal connection of said seat to said backrest and atanother portion thereof to said controlling element at one side of itspivotal connection to said support, first controlling means interposedbetween said controlling element at the other side of its pivotalconnection to said support and said forward portion of said seat forefiecting movement of said seat in coordination with move ments of saidcontrolling element, said first controlling means elevating said forwardportion of said seat in response to reclining movement of saidback-rest, a legrest swingably mounted on the front portion of saidseat, and second controlling means between said other side of saidcontrolling element and said leg-rest for effecting movements of saidleg-rest in coordination with the movements of said leg-rest incoordination with the movements of said controlling element, theelevation of said forward portion of said seat and the lowering of saidrear portion of said seat causing a compound inclining movement of saidseat to increase the angle between said seat and back-rest as a functionof said reclining movement, said first controlling means including alink and means pivotally mounting said link and having operativeconnections to said controlling element and to said seat.

9. A reclining chair comprising a support, a back-rest having adepending extension disposed in a substantially upright sitting positionand pivotally connected to said support whereby said back-rest isrockably mounted on said support for reclining movement, a seat having aforward portion, the rear portion of said seat being pivotally connectedto said back-rest at a point spaced above the pivotal connection betweensaid back-rest and said support and in position to translate through arearward and downward are upon reclining movement of said backrest tolower said rear portion of said seat, a controlling element pivotallymounted on said support at a point intermediate its ends, a connectinglink pivoted at one portion thereof to said back-rest at a locationspaced above the pivotal connection of said seat to said back-rest andat another portion thereof to said controlling element at one side ofits pivotal connection to said support, first controlling meansinterposed between said controlling element at the other side of itspivotal connection to said support and said forward portion of said seatfor efiecting movement of said seat in coordination with movements ofsaid controlling element, said first controlling means elevating saidforward portion of said seat in response to reclining movement of saidback-rest, a legrest swingably mounted on the front portion of saidseat, and second controlling means between said other side of saidcontrolling element and said leg-rest for effecting movements of saidleg-rest in coordination with the movements of said controlling element,the elevation of said forward portion of said seat and the lowering ofsaid rear portion of said seat causing a compound inclining movement ofsaid seat to increase the angle between said seat and back-rest as afunction of said reclining movement, said second controlling meansincluding a link and means pivotally mounting said link and havingoperative connections to said controlling element and to said leg-rest.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS333,052 Brooks Dec. 22, 1885 2,579,502 Lorenz Dec. 25, 1951 2,613,727Lorenz Oct. 14, 1952 2,710,645 Luckhardt June 24, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS17,788 Great Britain Sept. 2, 1899 820,791 France Nov. 18, 1937

